At a time when President Donald Trump is letting associates know that he's about to pull the US out of the Paris climate deal, his overall performance and impression he left with European leaders led German Chancellor Angela Merkel to say Germany can no longer rely not just on the post-Brexit UK but on the United States under Trump. Speaking at a campaign event held … [Read more...] about Angela Merkel: Germany can no longer rely on the United States
(Video Update) Trump’s Debut on the World Stage – Postscript
A Postscript Just as Trump set foot back on terra firma, the verdict on his nine-day tour was perhaps best expressed by Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Europe’s most influential leader, who concluded that "the United States of President Trump is not the reliable partner her country and the Continent have automatically depended on in the past.” The New York … [Read more...] about (Video Update) Trump’s Debut on the World Stage – Postscript
Review: Vampire Over London: Bela Lugosi in Britain
Review by Doug Gibson (This review is cross posted at Plan9Crunch blog) Fifteen years ago, Frank J. Dello Stritto and Andi Brooks published "Vampire Over London: Bela Lugosi in Britain." The book was unique in that it broke new ground in the history of an iconic actor, Bela Lugosi, who even then had a career that had been well analyzed. "Vampire Over London" erased a myth … [Read more...] about Review: Vampire Over London: Bela Lugosi in Britain
Memorial Day is No Picnic
Memorial Day should take place in March, on a cold, miserable, stormy day; it should not herald the start of summer and easy weather. Memorial Day is a day of contemplation, not one of celebration. Not only should we remember and give tribute to those courageous enough to fight for our defense. We also should consider those who send children to war in avarice. On Memorial … [Read more...] about Memorial Day is No Picnic
Conan O’Brien Heads to San Diego Federal Trial in Joke-Theft Case
by Ken Stone Conan O’Brien is coming to San Diego later this year — but not just for his annual Spreckles Theatre shows during Comic-Con. The late-night host will be in downtown federal court, along with several writers, trying to persuade a jury that he didn’t steal three jokes from a Carmel Valley comedy scribe. Veteran funnyman Robert Alex Kaseberg, who says he … [Read more...] about Conan O’Brien Heads to San Diego Federal Trial in Joke-Theft Case
Mike Peters Cartoon: Trump and the Pope
OF RELATED INTEREST: --ANDREW SULLIVAN's MUST READ: The Pope and the Pagan --Jimmy Kimmel Mocks President Trump's Pope Visit: 'Is Nothing Sacred? --Pope Francis reportedly 'did not say anything' and 'did not smile' in response to Trump greeting --Watch Cartoon Pope Francis Roast President Trump Mike Peters is recognized as one of our nation’s most prominent cartoon … [Read more...] about Mike Peters Cartoon: Trump and the Pope
Technology Has a Crucial Role in the Future of Infrastructure
U.S. infrastructure is due for an update. The state of the country’s vast network culminated in the release of the American Society of Civil Engineers’ Report Card for American Infrastructure. The U.S. scored a D plus, with only four of the 16 contributing categories scoring above a D plus. Repairs are, of course, essential to improving this score, as is technology. … [Read more...] about Technology Has a Crucial Role in the Future of Infrastructure
Something is not right
by Ruth Marcus Washington Post Writers Group Columnist In the middle of one night Miss Clavel turned on the light And said, "Something is not right!" -- "Madeline," by Ludwig Bemelmans, 1939 WASHINGTON -- Many of us these days find ourselves channeling our inner Miss Clavel. Defense Secretary James Mattis, for one. In Dexter Filkins' … [Read more...] about Something is not right
Stop looking for the latest superfood and eat a chili pepper
A hot lesson in nutritional studies. Are chili peppers the next wonder food? Pexels "Tears in Eyes" is a Sichuan dish of soft rice noodles covered in a spicy sauce made of dried, fresh, and pickled chill peppers, chili oil, and, of course, the iconic Sichuan peppercorn. It more than lives up to its name. The… … [Read more...] about Stop looking for the latest superfood and eat a chili pepper
Cartoon: Jared’s back channel
Most people would be extremely defensive about being accused of putting the interest of a hostile nation over the United States. They’d be very eager to prove their innocence and erase all doubt. Not these jerks connected to Trump. They’re too busy trying to kill investigations and trying to make deals for immunity. Is there anyone in the Trump administration or campaign who … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Jared’s back channel
In a San Francisco Kitchen, Chefs are re-creating everyday new Plant-based food
San Francisco/ Los Angeles, May 26, 2017: In a San Francisco kitchen, chefs are re-creating everyday foods, such as eggs, mayonnaise, salad dressings and cookies from unconventional sources. "Playing with ingredients that are totally different in the food system is a lot like walking on the moon. We're doing things no one has ever done before… … [Read more...] about In a San Francisco Kitchen, Chefs are re-creating everyday new Plant-based food
The wider Trump scandal
WASHINGTON -- President Trump's budget demonstrates the costs of accepting lies as a normal currency in politics, broken promises as a customary way of doing business, false claims of being "populist" as the equivalent of the real thing, and sloppiness as what we should expect from government. Trump's fiscal plan was described as dead before arrival, but approaching it this … [Read more...] about The wider Trump scandal
Stop and Notice the Dimming of a Very Weird Star
By John L. Micek This column is all about taking the time to look up. Sure, there's plenty enough down here on our little, blue and green rock to hold our attention. President Donald Trump made his first tour through Europe and the Middle East. A congressional candidate in Montana slugged a reporter. There was a horrific bombing in England that killed teens and … [Read more...] about Stop and Notice the Dimming of a Very Weird Star
Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge review
(Taken from the Chocolate Films blog) I was expecting to walk into an absolute mess of a film. The handful of previous Pirates of the Caribbean joints gave me no hope for this sequel. I genuinely cannot remember a single plot point from anything after the first film from this franchise. Anyway, Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge (or Dead Men Tell No Tales) is … [Read more...] about Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar’s Revenge review
Kick Donald Trump’s Circus Out of Town
by Michael Winship I'm increasingly convinced that the real reason Ringling Bros. has gone out of business is that when it comes to circuses, the Trump White House was just too much competition. For sure, it’s a sordid extravaganza with a lot more than three rings. The high wire acts alone are worth the price of admission, and the clowns — one of whom is also the … [Read more...] about Kick Donald Trump’s Circus Out of Town
Cartoon: Trump and the Pope
No Stopping This Amazon, as Shares Approach $1,000 Mark
The world premiere of Wonder Woman is still one week away, but the mightiest Amazon on the planet is already kicking ass on Wall Street. Shares of Jeff Bezos’s company soared toward the $1,000 mark in morning trading on Thursday. If you purchased Amazon stock when the company went public on May 15, 1997, and never… … [Read more...] about No Stopping This Amazon, as Shares Approach $1,000 Mark
Cartoon: Assaults on Reporters
Texas Governor Jokes About Shooting Reporters
The unrelenting Republican assault on the free press continued on Friday when, the Republican governor of Texas, joked about shooting journalists. The joke was made not two days after a Montana congressional candidate, Greg Gianforte, assaulted a reporter instead of answering a question on health care. Abbott made his joke at a gun range,… … [Read more...] about Texas Governor Jokes About Shooting Reporters
Kislyak: Kushner Wanted Link to Kremlin
Ellen Nakashima, Adam Entous and Greg Miller report the latest Trump-Russia bombshell in The Washington Post. Jared Kushner and Russia’s ambassador to Washington discussed the possibility of setting up a secret and secure communications channel between Trump’s transition team and the Kremlin, using Russian diplomatic facilities in an apparent move to shield their … [Read more...] about Kislyak: Kushner Wanted Link to Kremlin